AIM: To assess the hemodynamic changes in the extraocular orbital vessels of amblyopic patients in comparison with non-amblyopic fellow eyes, using color Doppler ultrasonography(CDU).

METHODS: Thirty-six eyes of 18 pediatric patients were included in the study(20 amblyopic, 16 normal). All eyes underwent color Doppler ultrasonography examination of ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and posterior ciliary artery.

RESULTS: The only differences between the two groups with regard to color Doppler ultrasonography parameters was the significantly lower peak systolic velocity(32.70±11.60 vs 55.01±11.68, P=0.001)and end-diastolic velocity(6.83±1.91 vs 13.99±4.15, P=0.001)for ophthalmic artery in amblyopic eyes.

CONCLUSION: Our study showed amblyopic eyes may present a decrease in retrobulbar blood flow velocity.